We help families choose a scanning path before they ship memories away.

Why this site exists

Most families start with a simple question: "Who should scan these old photos?" The real decision is more complicated. A shoebox of sturdy 4x6 prints, a carousel of 35mm slides, a sleeve of negatives, a stack of fragile portraits, and a box of VHS tapes all need different handling.

This site is built to make those trade-offs easier to see. We focus on the practical questions people ask before ordering: what media type is in the box, how pricing works, what resolution is enough, how originals are shipped and returned, and when a home scanner is safer than a mail-in service.

Editorial method

Every service and workflow on this site is evaluated against a consistent checklist: pricing transparency, supported media, resolution options, turnaround expectations, file delivery, review control, customer-facing policies, and shipping safety. We also look at whether a provider clearly explains limitations, add-ons, and return handling.

Pages are written to separate public facts from editorial judgment. When provider information changes, readers should verify current pricing, coupons, turnaround, media acceptance, and affiliate terms directly with the provider before placing an order.

What we do not claim

Photo Scanning Guide is not a photo scanning lab. We do not currently claim hands-on paid testing, sample-scan comparisons, or order-level proof unless a page explicitly says that evidence exists. If a future review includes paid testing, that review should disclose the order date, media sent, delivery timeline, output files, and any affiliate relationship.

Independence and updates

Some outbound links may become affiliate links. Affiliate relationships do not decide the order of recommendations, and paid placement should be disclosed where it appears. The goal is to help readers avoid mismatched services, not to push every visitor toward the same provider.